To be prepared for the future demands, four major European research institutes – the CEA (France), the FhG (Germany), CSEM (Switzerland) and VTT (Finland) – signed a co-operation agreement with the aim of successfully pooling their expertise. The objective of this wide-ranging agreement is to carry out joint research projects and develop innovative solutions and products for industry. The new alliance will allow the four research institutes to respond to the requirements of industry and European projects while gaining a head start on the competition.